"I’m not going to give it any credence to be honest": McCarthy unfazed by FAI controversy

Mick McCarthy believes that the current FAI crisis won't affect his stewardship of the Ireland team.

And the Boys In Green boss admits that 'Loangate' - that started over the €100,000 finance that John Delaney gave the FAI in 2017 - has not really impacted on him.

"Absolutely, it won’t affect anything at all," said McCarthy when asked if the ongoing ructions in Abbotstown might seep into his squad's preparations for the June Euros' qualifiers with Gibraltar and Denmark.

"I’m immune to it a little bit because I live in England. I’ve been kept up to date with it of course and I’ve read bits and pieces.

"But it doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t affect the football, it doesn’t affect the players.

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"I’m not going to give it any credence to be honest."

Delaney was to the fore when McCarthy was unveiled as Martin O'Neill's successor last autumn but the 60-year-old says that he has not been working closely with Delaney - currently on 'gardening leave' from his role as FAI executive vice-president - in recent times.

John Delaney - the man who appointed McCarthy for a second stint - has since stepped aside from the FAI

"I worked closely with him during the first stint, I’ve only been here since December 1.

"My contact with John has been minimal. I’ve spoken to him on the phone, of course.

"And any issues we’ve had - not issues, any things that need to be discussed and if I’ve anywhere to go, to support any initiatives like this," added McCarthy at today's launch of the Sports Direct FAI Summer Soccer Schools.

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"But that’s for the FAI. It’s not John, it’s the FAI.

"I work for the FAI. There’s not been one boss, there’s been 11 people on the board who were party to my being employed.